“For years, after I left City Hall, I refrained from any public comment about our government or the men and women who help lead our city. That ended when I started writing for Worcester Sun.”

Sun columnist

Chris Sinacola

Sina-cism: Among the true-blue believers | “It appears impossible to go more than one block in any direction in Seattle without seeing a poster, sign or handbill urging solidarity against the fascist dictator now occupying the White House. Indeed, if you’re politically liberal, this amounts to something close to paradise, particularly given the fine coffee, superb bookstores and natural beauty of the Pacific Northwest.” Chris Sinacola wonders why all those liberals can’t seem to give peace a chance.

Matthew Wright / mattwrightphoto.com

Gino, with mom Kelly Rawson and brother Jerrad Berthiaume.

Long-sought schooling change delivers results for Gino | After years of frustrating delays and grappling with Worcester Public Schools, a deaf Worcester teen is at last in a special-education setting that has him thriving. The Sun checks in with Gino Berthiaume, his mother, educators and others who have seen the transformation that can come from an Individualized Education Program in action.

Sun Spots with Hitch [Vol. 142]: A leisurely Sunday drive with the WRTA | Who doesn’t love a good bus ride? OK, so maybe it’s not the first choice for many of us, but it is an invaluable resource the Worcester Regional Transit Authority provides to the city and three dozen surrounding communities. Thing is, it’s 2017 and fewer people are climbing aboard for myriad modern reasons, which means those who do are footing more and more of the bill. It’s a vicious cycle — one that Hitch thinks needs a tune-up ASAP.

Flickr / Alberto G.

Worcester Public Schools continue to make the grade when it comes to graduation and dropout rates.

Editorial: Grad, dropout numbers speak well of Worcester schools | The latest figures on graduation and dropout rates show impressive progress for Worcester. Our public schools have pulled alongside the state average on dropout rates, and are closing in on the average graduation rate — while Massachusetts as a whole has also been getting better on both vital measures. Success builds on success, and that’s good for students.

Sam Doran / State House News Service

Gov. Charlie Baker presents Appeals Court Justice Elspeth Cypher, his latest nominee to the Supreme Judicial Court, at a Governor’s Council hearing. The council is expected to vote on confirmation this week. If Cypher is confirmed, Baker appointees would constitute a majority of the state’s highest court.

On Beacon Hill: Heavy is the head that wears the crown | In Massachusetts, being ranked number one is unlikely to be enough, just like five Super Bowl rings on Tom Brady’s right hand couldn’t stop parade-goers last month from chanting: “We want six.” While it may not be in everyone’s nature to accentuate the positive, no one in Massachusetts is quite on President Donald Trump’s level of “American carnage.” Plus, Healey, Murray, McGovern, video and more.

Wikimedia Commons

The Harlem Globetrotters are headed for the DCU Center.

Worcester Weekly: Globetrotters, Maura Healey + more, March 5-11 | The most fun you’ll have with a calendar of events all week. And you might just learn something, too. Here are six of the best things to do, places to go — and reasons why — the next few days.

Courtesy WBUR

WBUR-FM (90.9) senior correspondent Deborah Becker

Inbox [March 5]: Becker panel to talk refugees and immigration, Assumption adds addiction counseling certificate, MassDiGI Game Challenge a hit, Bravehearts sign six | Interesting and worthwhile things happen every day in our community. Alas, we can’t cover them all. That’s where Inbox comes in, to offer readers an easily digestible compilation of interesting and noteworthy items you and your neighbors keep telling us about. Have a release or a photo you or your group would like to share? Let us know by emailing it to info@worcester.ma. Be sure to include a link to the full release on your site or Facebook page so we can include it and send Sun members your way.

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